2 Chronicles 15:7

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

Be ye strong {H2388} therefore, and let not your hands {H3027} be weak {H7503}: for your work {H6468} shall be {H3426} rewarded {H7939}.

But you, be strong, and don't slack off; for your work will be rewarded."

But as for you, be strong; do not be discouraged, for your work will be rewarded.”

But be ye strong, and let not your hands be slack; for your work shall be rewarded.

2 Chronicles 15:7 delivers a powerful message of encouragement and promise, spoken through the prophet Azariah to King Asa and the people of Judah. It serves as a divine exhortation to persevere in righteousness, assuring them that their diligent efforts for God will not go unrewarded.

Context

This verse is part of a prophetic message delivered by Azariah, son of Oded, to King Asa following a significant victory over a vast Ethiopian army (2 Chronicles 14:9-15). King Asa had begun his reign with significant religious reforms, removing idols and encouraging the people to seek the Lord. Azariah's prophecy (2 Chronicles 15:1-7) both affirms Asa's early faithfulness and warns against future apostasy, while also providing crucial encouragement for continued devotion. It highlights God's reciprocal relationship with His people: "The LORD is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you."

Key Themes

  • Divine Encouragement: The command "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak" is a direct call to courage and sustained effort in serving God. It acknowledges the challenges of maintaining faithfulness but provides a divine impetus to overcome weariness.
  • Perseverance in Righteousness: The phrase "let not your hands be weak" emphasizes the importance of diligence and not giving up on the path of obedience and reform. It speaks to the ongoing commitment required in a relationship with God, reminding believers not to grow weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9).
  • Promise of Reward: The core motivation offered is "for your work shall be rewarded." This is a foundational biblical principle: God is faithful to recompense those who diligently seek and serve Him (Hebrews 11:6). The reward here is not necessarily worldly wealth but divine blessing, continued favor, and successful outcomes in their endeavors for God's kingdom.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Be ye strong" (חֲזַק - chazaq): This Hebrew word conveys more than mere physical strength; it implies courage, firmness, and resolute determination. It's often used in the context of leadership and undertaking challenging tasks for God, as seen when God tells Joshua to "be strong and courageous."
  • "Let not your hands be weak" (תִּרְפֶּינָה - tirpeynah from raphah): This phrase literally means "do not let your hands slacken" or "do not relax your grip." "Hands" often symbolize work, effort, and action. Thus, it's an admonition against idleness, discouragement, or abandoning good works due to difficulty or opposition.
  • "Work shall be rewarded" (שָׂכָר - sakar): The term for "reward" here refers to wages, recompense, or payment for labor. It signifies a just return for effort, emphasizing God's equitable nature and His commitment to honoring faithful service.

Practical Application

2 Chronicles 15:7 offers timeless encouragement for believers today. In a world that often measures success by immediate results, this verse reminds us that:

  • Perseverance is Key: Whether in personal spiritual growth, ministry, or facing life's challenges, we are called to remain steadfast and not give up on what is right and true.
  • God Sees and Rewards: Our efforts, even when unseen by others, are noticed by God. This promise provides motivation to continue serving Him diligently, knowing that He is just and will honor our faithfulness.
  • Overcoming Discouragement: When facing opposition or weariness, this verse serves as a powerful antidote to discouragement, urging us to renew our strength and trust in God's ultimate vindication and blessing.

Reflection

The message of 2 Chronicles 15:7 resonates deeply with the Christian journey. It calls for active faith, diligent service, and unwavering hope in God's promises. Just as King Asa was encouraged to continue his reforms, we too are exhorted to pursue righteousness with courage, knowing that our "work for the Lord is not in vain."

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joshua 1:7

    Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it [to] the right hand or [to] the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

  • 1 Corinthians 15:58

    ¶ Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Hebrews 10:35

    Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:20

    And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

  • 2 John 1:8

    Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

  • Genesis 15:1

    ¶ After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and] thy exceeding great reward.

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